Mango Ginger
Curcuma amada

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It has a creeping tuberous rhizome and the plant keeps growing from year to year. The rhizome is 4-5 cm by 3-4 cm. It is yellow inside. The root has the smell of a green mango. The tubers are 5-10 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The leafy stem is 30-35 cm tall. There are 4-6 leaves. The leaf stalk is 5-10 cm long and the lower leaves are smaller. They are 18 cm long by 8 cm wide. The upper leaves are 45-60 cm long by 14-15 cm wide. The lower surface is hairy. The leafy aerial section dies back during winter. The flower stalk is 20-22 cm long and the spike is 12-18 cm long. The flowers are in a spike. They are yellowish-blue. The fruit is a capsule.

There are about 50-65 Curcuma species. They are mostly in SE Asia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

The rhizomes are used in pickles. They are also used raw in salads and in chutneys. They are also eaten as a vegetable.

It is widely cultivated in India.

Edible parts

Leaves, rhizomes, root, spice

How it is grown

Plants are grown from the rhizomes.

Its other names

Local names

Aam haldi, Am haladhi, Am haldi, Am-ada, Amada, Amba ada, Amba haladi, Bana haldi, Ba-thae-kaw, Karpura-haridra, Mamidiallam, Mangai inji, Palo, Thaiju-hajing, Tharmit tharve, Thayetkin, Thermit therve

Synonyms

Curcuma amada var. glabra Belay., Unnikr., Asha & Maya;